Ventilator



Aug. 28, 1951 Filed OGt. 5l, 1946 H. C. WOODARD VENTIATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet1 Allg- 28 1951 H. c. wooDARD 2,565,901

VENTILATOR Filed Oct. 31, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @i f? (Z9 Allg. 23, 1951H. c. wooDARD l 2,565,901

VENTILATOR Filed Oct. 3l, 1 946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ff? dg' Y ly/ ff i3d f7r ff f/ fr@ f4\ Patented Aug. 28, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEVENTILATOR Horace C. Woodard, Elmwood, Mass.

Application October 31, 1946, Serial No. 706,919

9 claims; (o1. sis- 88) This invention relates to ventilators and moreparticularly to a ventilator for association with double window, wall,door, or the like construction, through which it is at times desirableto have refreshing ventilation and for which it is desirable at othertimes to have effective and reliable insulation against the cold orheat.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved ventilatorwhich may be readily and easily opened and allowed to remain open aslong as desired to permit the passage of air while at the same timepreventing the entrance of damaging elements, such as rain, snow orsleet, and insuring the maintenance of desired privacy, for examplefreedom from prying eyes, burglary and the like. When desired, theventilator may as readily and easily be closed to eiectively stop al1passage of air and to provide an eiflcient type of insulation in keepingwith that of the double building construction with which it may beassociated.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved ventilator ofthe type described which is of simple construction, adaptable to any ofthe well known building materials, which is easy and inexpensive tomanufacture, which is durable and possesses a minimum of breakable partsobviating the need of frequent repair, which is easy to install, andwhich does away with common annoyances such as replacement of brokensash cords and the installation and removal of storm windows.

In one aspect the invention involves a ventilator comprising framemembers defining spaced inner and outer openings, closure means for theouter opening adjustable to open and closed position and operative whenin closed position to close the opening against the passage of air,closure means for the inner opening adjustable to open and closedpositions and operative when in closed position to close said inneropening against the passage of air, said. outer closure means beingassociated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending, upwardlyinclined slats adapted to prevent rain, snow, or the like, from passingthrough said outer opening when the closure means is in open position,whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator is provided whenboth closure means are in open position and a dead air space within theventilator is provided when both closure means are in closed position.The closure means forthe outer opening may comprise a pair of doors'adjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closedposition to close the opening against the passage of air, said doorsbeing associated with a plurality of spaced transversely extending,upwardly inclined slats adapted to prevent rain, snow, or the like, frompassing through said outer opening when the doors are in open position.The closure means for the inner opening mayV also comprise a pair ofdoors adjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when inclosed position to close the opening against the passage of air.

In another aspect the invention involves a ventilator comprising framemembers dening spaced inner and outer openings, a plurality of spacedtransversely extending slats within the outer opening adjustable to openand closed positions and operative when in open position to preventrain, snow, or the like, from passing through the opening while at thesame time permitting the free passage of air and operative when inclosed position to close the opening against the passage of air, closuremeans for the inner opening adjustable to open and closed positions andoperative when in closed position to close said inner opening againstthe passage of air, whereby a free passage for air through theventilator is provided when both said slats and closure means are inopen position, and a dead air space within the ventilator is providedwhen both said slats and closure means are in closed position. Theclosure means for the inner opening may comprise a pair of doorsadjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when in closedposition to close the inner opening against the passage of air.

In still another aspect the invention involves a louvered closure meansfor the inner opening adjustable to open or closed positions and havinga set of spaced transversely extending louver slats adjustable to openand closed positions and operative when in open position t0 permit thefree passage of air, the closure means and set of louver lslats when inclosed position being operative to close the inner opening against thepassage of air. The louvered closure means may be a louvered door.

For the purpose of illustration reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of one embodiment of theinvention with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a louver the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of another embodiment of the invention withparts broken away and panel of "shownin association with a double Windowcon- Fig, l is an enlarged fragmentary section on the lines 'I-'i ofFig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on "the lines 1 1 of Fig. 5with the louver slats in Fig. ll is a section on the lines II-II of Fig.

; and

I2-I2 of Fig. l0 showing the inner louver slats in closed position andthe outer louver slats in open position. Y

Referring to Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, the ventilator comprises a verticallyelongate box-like frame I having a bottom frame member 2, spaced sideframe members 3 and 4l and a top frame member 5 defining spaced outerand inner openings 6 and A screen frame 8 is provided with a panel ofWire screen 8e for screening the outer opening 6, the frame 8 beingmounted within the frame I at the outer opening 6. The top and bottom ofthe screen frame 6 are received in recesses 9 and I0 .provided in theouter edges of the top 5 and bottom 2 of thel frame I so that the outerface of the screen frame is flush with the front face of the frame I. o

`Inwardly spaced from Vthe screen frame 3 and Within the frame I isprovided an outer door frame II. the screen frame 8 and outer door frameII is disposed a louver panel I2 for preventing the passage of rain,snow, or the like', into the ventilator. The louver panel has a frame I3supported Z, similarly made of transparent or translucent material, arehinged to door jambs 21 and 28, respectively, by suitable means, forexample the hinges 29, and the door jambs being secured to the sideframe members 3 and 4 within the frame I so that the inner faces of thejambs are flush with the inner face of the frame I. The inner doors arearranged to be swung outwardly to an open position parallel to the sideframe members 3 and 4i, respectively, From open position the doors arearranged to be swung inwardly to closed position, as shown in Fig. 2,and are co- Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section on the lines loperativewhen in closed position to close the 'inner opening 'I against thepassage of air. cooperative edges of the inner doors 25 and 2S yareformed with complementary lips and SI toprovide a ship-lap joint 32 whenthe doors The are in closed position, iand the inner faces of the lipsare provided with weather strips 33 `0f the same material as strips 22provided on lips I9 and 2!)` of the outer pair of doors. The outer edgesof the inner pair of doors are also provided with grooves 2li whichcooperate with tongues Y' 23 secured to members 2l and 28, as describedin Within the frame I and between at its outer face by the screen frameS and at its v inner face by the outer door frame II and has a pluralityof horizontally extending and inwardV 1y and upwardly inclined louverslats I@ in spaced and overlapping relation with respect to Veach otherand having their opposite ends mounted in similarly inclined grooves I5provided in the sides of the louver frame I3. These slats preferably aremade of a transparent or translucent material such as Lucite to permitlight to enter the room. Y

A pair of outer complementary doors I6 and I '1, also preferably made ofLuciteor other trans parent or translucent material, are hinged to thesides of the outer door frame II by suitable means, for example thehinges I8, and are arranged to be swung inwardly to an open positionparallel to the side frame members 3 and 4, respectively. From said openposition the doors are arranged to be swung outwardly to closedposition, as shown in Fig. 2, and are cooperative when in closedposition to close the outer opening 6 against the passage of air. Thecooperative edges of the doors are formed with complementary lips I9 and26 to provide a ship-lap `joint 2I when the doors are in closedposition, and the inner faces of the lips are provided with weatherstrips 22 of any well-known material, for example wool felt, rubber, orthe like, to provide a more eifeetive air-tight seal. The opposite edgesof the doors are also provided With Weaather strips of a Well-knownconstruction having a tongue 23 secured to the frame member II and whichis received within a groove 24 formed along the adjacent edge of thedoor, as shown in Fig. 2.

connection with the outer doors I6 and I'I. A suitable latch (not shown)is provided on the inner side of these doors to detachably hold them inclosed position.

When the ventilator is associated with a window, Wall,.door, or thelike, it is evident from the foregoing description that when the outerdoors I6 and il and inner doors 25 and 25 are in open position a freepassage for air through the ventilator is provided, and when said doorsare swung to closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, a dead air space isprovided within the ventilator, thereby to insure an-efoient insulationagainst the heat or cold of the outer atmosphere. It is further evidentthat when the inner and outer doors are in open position the louverpanel I2 prevents rain, snow,A or the like from passing through theouter opening while atthe same time permitting the free passage of airthrough the ventilator..

It isto be understood that the latch means which serve to hold the doorsin closed position may also serve to provide handles for opening orclosing the doors.

Referring to Figs. 5 through S, a second embodiment of the invention isshown in associa-.- tion with a double-window construction comprisingwindows 35 and 36 having top and bottom frames 3.1 and 3B formed byextensions of Y the top 5 and bottom 2 of the ventilator .frame l.

A suitable latch (not shown) is provided securely y inside frames formedby the outside faces of side frame members 3 and 4 of the frame I,opposite outside frame members 4I and 42, and spaced window panes 43(Fig. 3) received in recesses 44 formed in the exterior faces ofthe top,bottom and side window frames.

In place of the fixed louver panel I2 of the embodiment of Fig. l and inthe same location Within the frame I, therev is provided a plurality ofhorizontally disposed vertically spaced louver slats 45 pivotallymounted at their opposite ends to the side frame members 3 and 4 bysuitable means, here shown as horizontal pintles 46 extending throughthe side frame members 3 and 4, the slats thus being arranged to moveabout a horizontal axis to open and to closed position. Each louver slatB5 is provided adjacent its top edge with an enlarged lip 4B, theenlarged portion of the lip being directed outwardly of the ventilator,and adjacent its bottom edge each slat is provided with a similarlyshaped lip 21, the enlarged portion of the lip being directed inwardlyof the ventilator so that, when the slats are in closed positionpasshown in Fig. 7, the enlarged lip portion 4D of one slat cooperates withthe enlarged lip portion 4'! of the slat next above or below to form aninterlocking airtight joint 48. To insure. an air-tight seal, a strip 49of suitable waterproof resilient material, for example vulcanizedrubber, is provided on the face of the lip 40, as shown in Figs. 7 and8. To further insure an air-tight seal, each slat is formed adjacent itsopposite ends with a transverse groove 5U (Fig. 6) to receive a tongue5| of weather-stripping, the opposite face of the weather-'strippingbeing adapted to abut the inner face of the screen frame 8 when thelouver slats are in closed position.

Each louver slat 45 is provided adjacent its top inner edge with an eye52. vA rigid link bar 53, rectangular in cross section, is pivotallyinterconnected with each of the eyes by suitable means, for example by aseries of pintles 54. Each pintle 54 extends through a transverseperforation of the link and the orifice of the eye, and is provided withsubstantially parallel heads 54a and 54b which retain the pintle in saidinterconnecting relationship. The link 53 terminates short of the bottom2 of the frame I when the louver slats are in closed position.

From the foregoing, it is evident that, when the link 53 is moveddownwardly, the louver slats pivot simultaneously onk their pintles 46from the closed position shown in Fig. 7 to the downwardly inclined openposition shown in Fig. 8, the end of the link 53 abutting the top faceof the bottom frame member 2 when the louver slats are in said openposition and serving as a stop against further opening movement of theslats. Upward movement of the link simultaneously returns the louverslats to the closed position shown in Fig. 7.

Adjacent its lower end, the link 53 is formed with an opening 39 toreceive, when the louver slats are in closed position and the link inelevated position, the lug 55 of a locking arm 56 (Fig. 9). The lockingarm 56 is pivotally connected by suitable means, as a pintle 51, to afixed member 58 mounted on the bottom frame member 2, and is adapted tobe swung upwardly and parallel to the inner faces of the louver slats tothe locking position shown in Fig'. 9, or downwardly and parallel to theinner faces of the slats to the inoperative position y.superimposed onthe member 58, as shown in dot-dash line in Fig. 9.

In all other respects, with the exception of the omission of the outerdoor frame Il and the outer doors I6 and I1, the ventilator of theembodiment of Figs. 5 through 8 is the same as that of the embodiment ofFigs. 1 through 4, and it is apparent that, when the louver slats 45 andinner doors 25 and 26 are in open position, free passage for air throughthe ventilator is provided while at the same time rain, snow, sleet andthe like are prevented from entering the ventilator by the upwardlyinclined position of the slats. When the inner doors and louver slatslare in closed position, a dead air space is provided within theventilator, thereby to insure an efficient insulation against heat andcold.

`Referring, now, to Figs. 10 through l2, a third embodiment of theinvention is shown which is in all respects similar to the secondembodiment except for the inner door construction. A single inner doorframe 60 dening an opening 6| is mount/ed within the inner opening 'land atv one side edge to the frame member 4 by suitable means as thehinges 62, the opposite side edge of kwardly from the ventilator to openposition to allow access to the link 53 of the outer louver slats 45 anda similar link 11 of inner louver slats 69 to be hereinaftervdescribed'in detail. The louver side frame members 65 and 66 are securedto the inner door frame 60 adjacent the'opening 6l and extend within theframe I, as shown inl Fig. 1l. A plurality of horizontally disposedvertically spaced inner louver slats 69 are pivotally mounted adjacenttheir lower opposite ends to the louver side members 65 and 66 bysuitable means, here shown as pintles 10 extending through the louverside frame members, the slats being arranged to move about the pintlesto open and closed position, the closed position being shown in Fig. 12.i

In a similar manner to the outer louver slats slats 45, each of theinner louver slats 69 is provided, adjacent its top edge, with a lip 1|,the lip being directed inwardly, and adjacent its bottom edge each slatis provided with a lip 12, the lip being directed outwardly so that,when the slats are in closed position, as shown in Fig. l2, the lip 'Ilof one slat cooperates with ,the lip l2 of the slat next above or belowto form an interlocking joint 13. The slats 69'are also provided withsimilar weather vstrips within the transverse grooves T4, andtongue-shaped weather stripping 15, the opposite faces of Vwhichstripping abut the inner face of the inner door frame 6i! when thelouver slats are in closedposition. In a similar manner to the outerlouver slats 45 each inner louver slat is provided with an eye 15, theeyes being interconnected by a link 11, the link terminating short ofthe bottom Z of frame l. Downward movement of the link will cause thelouver slats 69 to simultaneously pivot on their pintles from the closedposition shown in Fig. 12 to the downwardly inclined open position,while upward movement of thev link will simultaneously return the slats59 to therclosed position shown in Fig. 12.

From the foregoing it is evident that" when the outer louver slats andinner louver slats are in open position, a freeY passage of :air isprovided through the ventilator' without permitting the access of rain,snow or sleet into the Ventilator', and when the outer and inner slatsand the inner door frame 60 are in closed position, a rdead-air space isprovided within the ventilator.

While I prefer to construct the louver slats and the doors oftransparent or translucent material, they may be constructed of wood,metal or other opaque materials. If they are Vconstructed oftransparenter translucent material, an ordinary roller window shade maybe utilized when the ventilator is incorporated in a window or anoutside wall. If they are constructed of opaque material and areassociated with window sections as shown in Fig. 5, curtains pivoted toswing about vertical axes may be utilized to shade the window sectionsat night Vor from theglare of direct sunlight. l

From the foregoing description vit will be clear that my novelventilator may be completely prefabricated as a unit and readilyinstalled in a building. When used as a part'of a window it eliminatesstorm windows and placing and removing screens. It eliminatesconcernaboutY open windows during a rain or snow storm since the louversprotect the interior of the house although theadoors of the ventilatorhave been .left open. It provides better circulation of air because itextends for the full height oi the window. It eliminates the annoyancewhich accompanies the sticking of a window sash or the breaking of asash cord. It is adaptable to use.

with Venetian blinds, roll curtains or other'types of curtains. Whenutilized with opaque ventilator materials and 'separate curtains foreach glazed section the sunlight and the accompanying heat may becompletelyl shut out while permay comprise a ventilator section or aplurality of adjacent ventilator sections.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only, and that the invention includes all modificationsand equivalents which fall within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A ventilator comprising frame members deflning spaced inner and outeropenings, a pair of doors for the outer opening adjustable to open andclosed positions and cooperative when in closed position to closethe'opening against the passage of air, closure means for the inneropening adjustable to open and closed positions and operative when inclosed position to close said inner opening against the passage of air,said doors being associated with a plurality of spaced transverselyextending slats, upwardly inclined towards the doors to prevent rain,snow, or the like from passing through said outer opening, whereby afree passage for air through the ventilator is provided when the doorsand the closure means are in open position and a dead air space withinthe ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closedposition, the extremities of the inner closure means when in openposition terminating within the connesof the frame members and saidinner closure means being adjustable about at least one vertical axis topermit free access into the connes of the frame members.

2. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outeropenings, closure means for the outer opening adjustable to open andclosed positions and operative when in closed position to close theopening against the passage of air, a pair of doors for the inneropening adjustable to open and closed positions and opera- .tive when inclosed position to close the inner opening againstv the passage of air,said outer closure means being associated with a plurality of spacedtransversely extending slats, upwardly inclined towards the outerclosure means .to prevent rain, snow, or the like from passing throughsaid outer opening, whereby a free passage for air through theventilator is provided when both the closure means and said doors are inopen position and a dead air space within the ventilator is providedwhen both the closure means and said doors are in closed position, theextremities of the doors when in open position terminating within theconfines of the frame members.

3. A ventilator comprising frame members dening `spaced inner and cuteropeningsar pair of doors for the outer opening adjustable to open andclosed positions and cooperative when in closed position to close theopening against the passage of air, a second pair of doors for the inneropeningadjustable to open and closed positions and cooperative when inclosed position to close the inner opening against the passage of air,said first pair of doors being associated with a plurality of spacedtransversely extending slats, upwardly inclined towards the first pairof doors to prevent rain, snow, or the like from passing through saidouter opening, whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator isprovided when both pairs of doors are in open position and a dead airspace within the ventilator is provided when both pairs of doors are inclosed position, the extremities of the second pair of doors when inopen position terminating within the connes of the frame members.

4. A ventilator comprising frame members defining spaced inner and outeropenings, a pluralityof spaced slats extending transversely of the outeropening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closure means forthe outer opening comprising a pair of doors which extend. inwardly fromsaid outer opening when they are in open position, and closure means forthe inner opening adjustable to open and closed position, whereby a freepassage for air through the ventilator .is provided when said doors andsaid closure means for the inner opening are in open position and a deadair space within the ventilator is .provided when said doors and closuremeans are in closed position the extremities of the doors and innerclosure means when in open position terminating within the confines ofthe frame-members and said inner closure means being adjustable about atleast one lvertical axis to permit free access Vinto the confines of theframe members.

5. A ventilator comprising frame members deiining spaced inner and`outer openings, a plurality of spaced slats extending transversely ofthe outer opening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closuremeans for the outer opening comprising a pair of doors which extendinwardly from said outer opening when they are in open position, andclosure means for the inner opening comprising a pair of doors whichextend outwardly from said inner opening when they are in open position,whereby a free passage for air through the ventilator is provided whenboth sets of said doors are in open position and a dead air space withinthe ventilator is provided when both sets of said doors are in closedposition the extremities of each pair of doors when in open positionterminating within the connes of the frame members.

6. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outeropenings, closure means for the outer opening adjustable to open and.closed positions and-operative when in closed position to close theopening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner openingadjustable about v.vertical axes to open and closed positions andoperative when in closed position to close said inner opening againstthe passage of air, the extremities of the closure means for the inneropening when in open position terminating within the confines of theframe members, said outer closure means being associated with aplurality of spaced transversely extending slats, upwardly inclinedtowards the outer closure means to prevent rain, snow or the like frompassing through said outer opening, whereby a free passage of airthrough the Ventilator is provided when both closure means are in openposition and a dead air space within the ventilator is provided whenboth closure means are in closed position.

7. A ventilator comprising frame members deiining spaced inner and outeropenings, a plurality of spaced slats extending transversely of theouter opening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closure meansfor the outer opening adjustable about vertical axes to open and closedpositions and operative when in closed position to close the openingagainst the passage of air, closure means for the inner openingadjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closedposition to yclose said inner opening against the passage of air,whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator is provided whenboth closure means are in open position, and a dead air sparge withinthe ventilator is provided when both closure means are in closedposition the extremities of the inner closure means when in openposition terminating within the confines of the frame members.

8. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outeropenings, a plurality of spaced slats extending transversely of theouter opening and inclined upwardly and inwardly thereof, closure meansfor the outer opening adjustable about vertical axes to open and closedpositions and operative when in closed position to close the openingagainst the passage of air, closure means for the inner openingadjustable about vertical axes to open and closed positions andoperative when in closed position to close said inner opening :againstthe passage of air, the extremities of the closure means for the innerand outer openings when in open position terminating Within the confinesof the frame members, whereby a free passage of air through theventilator is provided when both closure means are in open position, anda dead air space within the ventilator is provided when both closuremeans are in closed position.

9. A ventilator comprising frame members dening spaced inner and outeropenings, closure means for the outer opening adjustable to open andclosed positions and operative when in closed position to close theopening against the passage of air, closure means for the inner openingadjustable to open and closed positions and operative when in closedposition to close said inner opening against the passage of air, saidouter closure means being associated with a plurality of spacedtransversely extending slats'upwardly inclined towards the outer closuremeans to prevent rain, snow or the like from passing through the outeropening, whereby a free passage of air through the ventilator isprovided when both closure means are in open position and a dead airspace within the ventilator is provided when both closure means are inclosed position, the extremities of the inner closure means when in openposition terminating within the coniines of the frame members and saidinner closure means being adjustable about at least one vertical axis topermit free access into the confines of the iframe members.

HORACE C. WOODARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 710,858 Griesser Oct. 7, 19021,118,365 Loehler Nov. 24, 1914 1,346,800 Allen July 13, 1920 v1,428,882 Dyer Sept. 12, 1922 2,249,641 Stucki July 15, 1941 2,267,977Hunt Dec. 30, 1941 2,305,445 Poor et al Dec. 15, 1942 2,320,268 CramerMay 25, 1943 2,329,868 Wood Sept. 21, 1943 2,347,137 Steele Apr. 18,1944 2,366,339 Kump, Jr Jan. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date20,270 Great Britain of 1906 692,316 Germany Oct. 31, 1946

